Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions, it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Interpretation
Youth is defined by mindset, not age or physical appearance.
This quote highlights that youthfulness is not merely an age-related phase characterized by physical attributes, but rather it is about the attitude, imagination, and emotional vitality one possesses. It suggests that true youth lies in the spirit and mindset of an individual, reflecting the inner qualities that foster a zest for life.
In practice
This quote can be used to inspire young professionals to believe in their potential regardless of age.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.
Youth is not a time of life - it is a state of mind.
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and only then, have you grown old.
As I unclutter my life, I free myself to answer the callings of my soul.
When I die I'm going to dance first in all the galaxies...I'm gonna play and dance and sing.
Becoming yourself is really hard and confusing, and it's a process. It's often not cool to be the person who puts themselves out there.
Smile with instinct, then lick your wounds in the darkest of dark corners. Trace the scars back to your own fingers and remember them.
Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.
Gemma, you see how it is. They've planned our entire lives, from what we shall wear to whom we shall marry and where we shall live. It's one lump of sugar in your tea whether you like it or not and you'd best smile even if you're dying deep inside. We're like pretty horses, and just as on horses, they mean to put blinders on us so we can't look left or right but only straight ahead where they would lead. Please, please, please, Gemma, let's not die inside before we have to.
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